variants
also cagy
1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reluctant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cagey
Further, the non-call and subsequent call in the final 5 minutes of the free 30 minutes were monumental in a mostly cagey match.
—
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Unseld was cagey about the playing-time restrictions for all three players, declining to share details about any of their medical limits during his pregame news conference.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
While department officials initially were cagey about whether pepper spray would be allowed at the new Kilpatrick, the department ultimately determined officers would not carry it.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Joining another lab at her institution might be an option, but that would mean abandoning her main research interests, and other groups have also been cagey about funding.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Unseld was cagey about the playing-time restrictions for all three players, declining to share details about any of their medical limits during his pregame news conference.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
While department officials initially were cagey about whether pepper spray would be allowed at the new Kilpatrick, the department ultimately determined officers would not carry it.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Joining another lab at her institution might be an option, but that would mean abandoning her main research interests, and other groups have also been cagey about funding.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
-
What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
-
Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Joe Biden's catastrophic performance fueled questions about his mental acuity and led, three weeks later, to his reluctant withdrawal as the Democratic candidate.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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This favoritism is driven by legacy preferences, athletic recruitment and nonacademic ratings that reward expensive resume-building, yet elite universities remain reluctant to change these practices.—
Prasad Krishnamurthy,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Right now, the comfy-cute cute walking shoes are on sale from just $55.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
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My favorites include breezy linen co-ords, casual-but-cute loungewear sets, and elevated athleisure styles that work for basically everything — starting at $21.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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That means discussing communicable diseases — like many populations, the Amish, many of whom do vaccinate, have been increasingly hesitant since the Covid-19 pandemic — as well as genetic and other conditions.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
3 June 2026
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Even with the changes, some council members were hesitant to support the plan.—
Kendrick Calfee
June 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Junior Brooke Neale applied a slick tag.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
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But homes are personal spaces, and consumers will need more than a shiny robot and a slick app.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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The collection is highly versatile, offering both subtle nods to the sport and head-to-toe outfits, all created in a patriotic color palette of red, white and a variety of blues.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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The actress, also known for Todd Haynes' film May December, later comments on that subtle addition in a May 2026 interview.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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